Card game board and card-holding means

ABSTRACT

A card game board has a playing surface with pin-receiving sockets, and card-holding means have mounting pins removably engaged in the sockets. The holding means comprise spring arm press-down members and dead card trays.

United States Patent atley 1 Jan. 18,1972

I54] CARD GAME BOARD AND CARD- HOLDING MEANS 211 Appl. No.: 888,789

840,459 1/1907 Phillips ..273/l50 848,042 3/1907 Musgrave. .....273/148 A UX 864,254 8/1907 Perkins ..273/148 A UX 1,245,494 11/1917 2,084,409 6/1937 2,453,292 ll/l948 Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Attorney-Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Gross & Simpson [52] U.S.C1. ..273/l48 A,2l1/5l,273/150 57 ABSTRACT [51] ..A63f 11/06 58 Field oiSearch ..273/l48 A, 150, 151; 211 51, A card game board has a P y surface wlth pm-recewmg 211/52 53 54 sockets, and card-holding means have mounting pins removably engaged in the sockets. The holding means com- [56] References Cited prise spring arm press-down members and dead card trays.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures R9,646 4/1881 Prentice ..273/148 A A? Z4 22 Z3 Z4 1:; M 2

W id I] 1 I l 1 l i l I *12/ 21 PATENTEU JAH I 8 m2 SHEET 1 [1F CARD GAME BOARD AND CARD-HOLDING MEANS This invention relates to card game board and card-holding means and more particularly concerns devices for holding playing cards against being blown away.

Where card games are played in the presence of natural or artificially induced windy conditions, difiiculty is experienced in maintaining the cards in place on the playing surface. Such windy conditions may be encountered outdoors such as on patios, porches, balconies, outside ship decks, and the like, or indoors or under roof with open windows or doors or where fans are blowing.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide new and improved means for holding playing cards in association with a game board.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means enabling cards to be held down against blowingaway from any selected portion of a playing surface of a card game board such as may be provided by a card table.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved spring holddown device for card game boards.

Still another object of the invention is to provide novel means in association with a card game board to hold dead cards in a manner to prevent blowing disarray of the cards.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide new and improved card-holding means in association with a card game board adapted for ready shifting into various preferred positions relative to the game board.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description of certain preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, although variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure, and in which:

FIG. I is an isometric view of a game board comprising a card table embodying features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of a spring arm card holder adapted to be applied to the game board of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional detail view through a portion of the game boardand showing one of the spring arm holders in operative association therewith;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a dead card holder as adapted to be employed with the game board table of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of one comer area of the game board of FIG. ll;

, FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional detail view taken substantially on the line VI--VI of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a modified form of the game board.

On reference to FIG. 1, a game board 10 in the form of a card table having legs 11, and in this instance of square outline in plan has a top playing surface 12, and in this instance a bead rim 13.

According to the present invention the playing surface 12 is provided with means for holding playing cards 14 thereon against being blown away but nevertheless readily manipulatable as desired or necessary in the course of play. For this purpose, one or more spring arm card holddown devices 15 are adapted to be mounted on and over the playing surface 12 to suit the convenience of one or more players. Several possibilities are shown by way of example in FIG. 1. Each of the devices 15 comprises a resiliently flexible spring arm 17 having on one end thereof a smooth-headed, and in this instance semispherically shaped holding knob 18, with the arm 17 of sufficient length to overlie a substantial span such as on the order of 4 to 12 inches, as preferred, of the playing surface. Each of the arms is constructed of suitable material such as reasonably stifi'ly resilient spring wire arched upwardly and extending between the generally downwardly directed holding knob 18 and a riser leg 19 with which the arm is desirably connected by means of an integral spring loop 20 which improves the resilient characteristic of the device. The riser 19 may be of a length on the order of the thickness of a pack of cards so that the device may be used to hold down any number of cards from at least a whole deck to a single card with equal efficiency. Since the riser leg 19 is also of the same spring material, it serves as a part of the total spring of the device, being resiliently resistant to deflection as the arm 17 is raised or deflected resiliently.

For mounting the spring arm holddown device 15 in any preferred selected position on the playing surface 12, mounting means are provided on the lower end of the riser leg I9 for selective engagement with the game board 10. For this purpose, a plurality of spaced depending mounting pins 20 are connected in functionally integral relation to the riser leg, and, in the embodiment shown, preferably two such mounting pins are provided to engage in respective pin-receiving sockets 21 in the board 10 and opening through the surface 112. By having a pair. of the pins 20 spaced apart and aligned substantially in the plane of the axis of the arm 17 (FIGS. 2 and 3) an extremely stable mounting is attained wherein the holder 15 is maintained against swinging laterally when a card is slid under the holddown tip knob 18 at the end of the relatively long spring arm 17. Further, the arm thrusts the tip 18 toward the board surface under spring tension by virtue of having been stressed on engagement of the tip with the surface 12 and displacement from a normal biased position below the mounting pin base structure as shown in FIG 2 to a higher elevation, as an incident to functionally mounting the holder relative to the board by pushing the mounting pins into the respective sockets 21 while a knob 18 remains at the board playing surface or held playing card level as shown in FIG. 3, and a fulcrum effect of the socketed pins.

In a desirable arrangement, the sockets 21 are provided in spaced pairs complementary to the spacing between the mounting pins 20 and in a pattern distributed over the playing surface 12 at least in the areas adjacent to each of the players stationed about the board, and preferably in an all-over pattern and which may comprise having the sockets in an array of circularly arranged groups of the sockets as best seen in FIGS. 1, 5 and 7. By virtue of the circularly arranged sockets the arms 17 of the holddown members 15 are adapted to be oriented in numerous positions throughout 360 range at each socket group.

One desirable construction of the mounting base means for the holddown members 15 comprises having the mounting pins 20 integral in inverted-U fashion with a head bar 22 which is secured to a horizontal attachment terminal portion 23 extending angularly on the lower end of the riser leg 19 and suitably secured to the bar 22 as by means of welding, brazing, soldering or the like 24 (FIG. 3). In addition, a retaining and reinforcing rolled sleeve 25 may be applied to and about the joint.

In certain popular card games certain cards acquired by a player in the course of play assume :a so-called dead card status in which they are customarily laid aside. Where for reasons of count it is desirable to maintain the dead cards in groups or tricks, the problem of maintaining integrity of the group is heightened where windy conditions prevail in the playing area. Accordingly, holding means are provided especially adapted to maintain the cards in the segregation by groups. Further, such means are here provided in a form which will free the playing surface 12 entirely for active play. To this end, a card-holding tray 27 (FIGS. 1 and 4) is desirably provided for each player. Each of the trays 27 is equipped with means for mounting it at the outer side of the table rim and herein comprising hanger means in the form of cantilever arms 28 projecting from the top edge of one side of the tray to overlie the rim 13 and each arm having a free end downwardly projecting mounting terminal leg pin. 29 engageable in a socket 30 in the board 10 opening through the surface 12 adjacent to the rim (FIGS. 1, 5 and 6). Each of the hanger arms 28 is of a length to its mounting pin portion correlated to the spacing of the respective sockets 30 from the adjacent edge of the board to provide a reasonably close relation of the adjacent side of the tray 27 to the rim 13 with the tray held sub stantially horizontal when mounted. Stability of support is respective opposite ends of the tray side than the distance between the hanger arms. In a multisided board there are preferably respective pairs of the tray-mounting sockets 30 adjacent each end of each side to accommodate right-hand or left-hand location of the tray to suit player preference. In a preferred construction of the trays 27, they are desirably of elongated rectangular form, having a bottom wall 31 and upstanding therefrom spaced coextensive sidewalls 32 connected together at their respective opposite ends by end walls 33 also rising from the base wall. In a desirable construction, the tray may be made from suitable molded plastic material. To maintain the sidewall 32 to which the hanger arms 28 are attached as thin as practicable while still providing adequate anchorage for the hanger bars 28, such sidewalls may be provided with vertical anchorage ribs 34 on their outer sides providing, in effect, anchor posts within which depending inner end respective depending anchor legs 35 on the hanger bars or arms 28 are embedded. For versatility as to the card games for which the trays are suited, the upwardly opening tray area may be subdivided into one or more recesses, pockets or upwardly opening compartments such as at least one pocket 37 in which cards may be received as a pack, and a plurality of narrower pockets 38 within which cards are receptive by smaller groups or tricks. There may be as many of the narrower pockets 38 as may reasonably be required to maintain a maximum number of groups or tricks that may be acquired by or which must be handled by a player at any time. For example, in playing bridge there are 13 possible tricks to be acquired, and in the form shown, the tray'27 will accommodate l3 tricks, plus four spare compartments 38 into which the player may deal and segregate four hands of a succeeding deck. Separation of the several pockets is effected by means of partitions or dividers 39 suitably spaced apart and extending to and between the sidewalls 32 and the bottom wall 31. For maximum resistance to wind dislodgement of the cards from the tray pockets, the depth of the tray is desirably no less than one-half the width of conventional playing cards, and preferably about two-thirds the width dimension of such cards.

The invention is as well adapted for round playing boards as for rectangular boards. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, a round playing board having a playing area 12' and a rim 13 is provided with a suitable pattern of spring-holding device sockets 21' and suitably located pairs of tray hanger pin sockets 30. It will be appreciated now although only representative groups of the' pin sockets 21' are shown on the playing surface 12, that any preferred arrangement of such groups may be provided and most generally substantially the entire surface will be uniformly provided, at least in the most used areas thereof with the sockets to facilitate mounting of the spring-holding devices in preferred card-holding orientations.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the present invention provides for effective holding of playing cards on and in association with a playing board in a manner to provide substantial assurance against disarray or blowing away of playing cards in windy locations. Easy changeability and versatility as to preferred placement and orientation of the card-holding meansare inherent in the structures, as well as convenience and reliabilityfor the intended purposes.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a game board having a playing surface with upwardly opening pairs of spaced pin sockets therein:

a device for holding cards against wind-blown displacement relative to the board and including an elongated cardholding spring arm having a free end holding tip;

a mounting pin base structure fixedly connected to the opposite end of said arm comprising a pair of depending pins complementary in diameter to said sockets and spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of said pairs of sockets; and I said pins being selectively replaceably pushed into a pair of said sockets in the game board with the arm tensionably related to said playing surface so that said tip will press one or more cards retainingly against the surface;

said pin base including said pins being of generally inverted- U shape and relatively rigid to maintain effective hold in said sockets and said opposite end of the arm being connected resiliently to the mounting base.

2. A combination according to claim 1, said pins being aligned substantially in the plane of the axis of said arms so as to stabilize the retention of the pins in said sockets.

3. A combination according to claim 1, said opposite end of the am having a horizontal terminal portion secured fixedly to said mounting base.

4. A combination according to claim 1, said arm normally biasing said tip to a position below the mounting base from which the tip is displaced by spring tension stressing of the arm as an incident to pushing of the mounting pins into the respective sockets while the tip remains at the playing surface or held card level.

5. In a device for holding cards against wind-blown displacement relative to a game board having a playing surface with upwardly opening pairs of spaced pin sockets therein:

an elongated card-holding spring arm having a free end holding tip;

a mounting pin base structure fixedly connected to the opposite end of said arm comprising a pair of spaced-apart depending pins to be selectively replaceably pushed into a pair of the sockets for selectively mounting the device on the game boardwith the arm tensionably related to said playing surface so that said tip will press one or more cards retainingly against the surface;

said mounting pin base including said pins being of generally inverted-U shape and said opposite end of the arm being connected resiliently to the mounting base;

said opposite end of the arm having a horizontal terminal portion secured fixedly to said mounting base; and

a reinforcing rolled sleeve applied to and about the joint provided by engagement of said terminal portion with the mounting base.

6. In a device for holding cards against wind-blown displacement relative to a game board having a playing surface with upwardly opening pairs of spaced pin sockets therein:

an elongated card-holding spring arm having a free end holding tip;

a mounting pin base structure fixedly connected to the opposite end of said arm comprising a pair of spaced-apart depending pins to be selectively replaceably pushed into a pair of the sockets for selectively mounting the device on the game board with the arm tensionably related to said playing surface so that said tip will press one or more cards retainingly against the surface;

said mounting base comprising an inverted-U shaped member providing said pins and having a head bar;

said arm comprising a horizontal terminal portion on said opposite end;

means rigidly securing said terminal portion to said head bar; and

said am being upwardly bowed and normally biasing said tip to a position below the mounting base and from which the tip is displaceable upwardly under spring tension of the arm while the tip is engaged against the board surface and the pins are pushed into the selected pin sockets. 

1. In combination with a game board having a playing surface with upwardly opening pairs of spaced pin sockets therein: a device for holding cards against wind-blown displacement relative to the board and including an elongated card-holding spring arm having a free end holding tip; a mounting pin base structure fixedly connected to the opposite end of said arm comprising a pair of depending pins complementary in diameter to said sockets and spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of said pairs of sockets; and said pins being selectively replaceably pushed into a pair of said sockets in the game board with the arm tensionably related to said playing surface so that said tip will press one or more cards retainingly against the surface; said pin base including said pins being of generally inverted-U shape and relatively rigid to maintain effective hold in said sockets and said opposite end of the arm being connected resiliently to the mounting base.
 2. A combination according to claim 1, said pins being aligned substantially in the plane of the axis of said arms so as to stabilize the retention of the pins in said sockets.
 3. A combination according to claim 1, said opposite end of the arm having a horizontal terminal portion secured fixedly to said mounting base.
 4. A combination according to claim 1, said arm normally biasing said tip to a position below the mounting base from which the tip is displaced by spring tension stressing of the arm as an incident to pushing of the mounting pins into the respective sockets while the tip remains at the playing surface or held card level.
 5. In a device for holding cards against wind-blown displacement relative to a game board having a playing surface with upwardly opening pairs of spaced pin sockets therein: an elongated card-holding spring arm having a free end holding tip; a mounting pin base structure fixedly connected to the opposite end of said arm comprising a pair of spaced-apart depending pins to be selectively replaceably pushed into a pair of the sockets for selectively mounting the device on the game board with the arm tensionably related to said playing surface so that said tip will press one or more cards retainingly against the surface; said mounting pin base including said pins being of generally inverted-U shape and said opposite end of the arm being connected resiliently to the mounting base; said opposite end of the arm having a horizontal terminal portion secured fixedly to said mounting base; and a reinforcing rolled sleeve applied to and about the joint provided by engagement of said terminal portion with the mounting base.
 6. In a device for holding cards against wind-blown displacement relative to a game board having a playing surface with upwardly opening pairs of spaced pin sockets therein: an elongated card-holding spring arm having a free end holding tip; a mounting pin base structure fixedly connected to the opposite end of said arm comprising a pair of spaced-apart depending pins to be selectively replaceably pushed into a pair of the sOckets for selectively mounting the device on the game board with the arm tensionably related to said playing surface so that said tip will press one or more cards retainingly against the surface; said mounting base comprising an inverted-U shaped member providing said pins and having a head bar; said arm comprising a horizontal terminal portion on said opposite end; means rigidly securing said terminal portion to said head bar; and said arm being upwardly bowed and normally biasing said tip to a position below the mounting base and from which the tip is displaceable upwardly under spring tension of the arm while the tip is engaged against the board surface and the pins are pushed into the selected pin sockets. 